Three Days of Coastal Light, Rhythm, and Atmosphere. This intimate plein air atelier in Santa Barbara is designed for a small group of painters seeking a refined, focused, and elevated experience. Set within one of California’s most luminous coastal environments, the workshop offers carefully selected painting locations that balance natural beauty with architectural elegance. Over three days, participants work in a sequence of visually rich environments—coastal, maritime, and town-inspired—each chosen for its compositional potential and atmospheric nuance. Rather than chasing landmarks, the emphasis is on seeing: light, structure, rhythm, and the quiet poetry of place. Instruction is personal, deliberate, and deeply engaged. Demonstrations and one-on-one guidance focus on the essentials that distinguish accomplished plein air work.
 
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865

Develop a solid background in drawing the human head and features. Learn first the structure of the head – planar structure, axial relationships, proportions and foreshortening – and progress to anatomy and the features. Work with a variety of materials including graphite, charcoal, and chalk (conté crayon and pencil). Extended poses will promote strengthening of observational abilities and drawing techniques toward achieving both a likeness and aesthetic effect. Historical and contemporary examples of master portrait drawings will provide inspiration and insight. All levels are welcome. Note: Course tuition includes a $75 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill A. Rupinski
Cost: $615
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Whether you are a fine artist, illustrator, comic book creator, or simply enjoy drawing people, this fascinating course will prompt you to expand how you envision the human head and face. Learn methods of working that lead to accuracy and animated likeness. Starting with geometric solids in space, instruction will focus largely on structure and form as you understand volumes and ways of defining the foundation of the head. The course also examines the construction of facial features and how to handle light and shade. Students will work from a variety of references including three sessions with a live model. Tuition includes a $20 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: RA Friedman
Cost: $315
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Join me and explore drawing portraits with alcohol markers! These portraits will lean toward realism vs anime, but we’ll use the same layering techniques. These markers are great for sketching prior to painting or just playing in our sketchbooks. I love the vivid colors and the clarity they provide. We’ll determine values & how to achieve a good likeness to our photos. (Feel free to trace your photo.) So, bring a bunch of alcohol markers and favorite photos, and let’s draw! All artistic levels welcome!
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Jacki Yamin
Cost: $36 ($30 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

Nature Artist, Randall Scott leads you through an intriguing journey of the many facets of art. We will be exploring sketching, drawing, composing, and layout of an image of your choice, which you have gathered or experienced first-hand. Growing in subject knowledge, as well as enhancing individual artistic skills in drawing and painting through your specific reference materials.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Randall Scott
Cost: $70
Sponsor: The New Studio For The Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

This extended course explores landscape drawing and painting in the studio using reference photos and sketches. Students will learn how to create effective reference materials through photography, sketching, and observation, and how to translate these references into compelling compositions. Instruction will focus on principles of design, including balance, value structure, and spatial organization, alongside an in-depth exploration of color relationships, atmosphere, and light. Through a series of projects and critiques, students will develop technical skills and a personal approach to interpreting the landscape.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Shushana Rucker
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Paint on location at Philadelphia's historic Fairmount Park mansions! Built in the 18th century, these houses feature amazing architecture, beautiful gardens, and scenic views. Each week will feature a different instructor including: Lisa BergerLentz, Mark Bockrath, Roger Chavez, & Lou Schellenberg, demonstrating oil, watercolor/gouache and pastel techniques, reference art historical examples, cover the ins-and-outs of working outdoors and encourage personal expression. Includes a tour of each historic house (optional)! Work with the materials of your choice including watercolor, oil, acrylic and drawing media. Restrooms and free parking will be available.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Various
Cost: $250 or $60 per session
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery & Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Don't know how to draw? No problem! This hands-on course will introduce you to the fundamentals of drawing using clear, step-by-step instructions. Participants will learn essential skills—from how to hold a pencil to mastering shading techniques. Hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling will all be covered in detail. This class focuses on core drawing principles, from structure to value. A variety of drawing techniques will be introduced throughout the workshop, beginning with an overview of essential materials and tools. You'll develop your own value scale and learn how to apply it to create accurately rendered objects. Students will be encouraged to observe their environment with fresh, imaginative eyes and incorporate their surroundings into their artwork.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Allison Luce
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Learn how to create a fun, realistic and character descriptive portrait of your beloved pet in this workshop. The instructor will guide through a step-by-step drawing process that includes how to create the facial structure of your pet; render beautiful and sparkling eyes; build nose and mouth shapes; create light and dark fur; and choose the right background for your portrait. Enjoy a happy pet drawing day!
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Alicia Mino Gonzalez
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Capture the active life of the city and its rich architecture. This is an excellent workshop for anyone who wants to learn to sketch on the bus or train, in cafés and public parks, or while traveling abroad. Topics include perspective, gauging proportions by eye, gesture figure drawing, and methods for simplifying form. All levels welcome.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $115
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This class focuses on drawing inspiration directly from our environment, celebrating the stunning Lowcountry as your muse. Using botanicals and treasures from the beach, participants will create nature studies that capture the essence of our beautiful home on Hilton Head Island. You'll explore techniques such as negative space and expressive line work while expanding upon drawing fundamentals, including structure and value. Students will be encouraged to observe their surroundings with fresh, imaginative eyes and discover new ways to interpret the natural world. Participants are welcome to bring their own favorite objects from nature—shells, driftwood, flowers, or any natural treasures that inspire you—to incorporate into their drawings. This class is developed for students of all skill levels.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Allison Luce
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Supply Fee: $10.00 paid directly to the instructor. Join the Art League and Barb to learn the art of Zentangle! Barb will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating beautiful designs of Zentangle. With paper and pens you will amaze yourself by the artwork you create! Let your inner self shine through with this unique calming art.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Barb Mavraganis
Cost: $36 ($30 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

Learn the basics of painting outdoors as you work on location at beautiful and historic Laurel Hill Cemetery featuring terraced grounds, sculpture, and amazing views of the Schuylkill River. Instruction will address the ins-and-outs of working outdoors, color and composition, art historical examples, and personal expression. You may work in the media of your choice including oil, acrylic, watercolor & pastel. Free parking and restrooms available.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michelle Oosterbaan
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Meditative drawing is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Learn to express yourself while creating your own designs and improve your drawing skills at the same time. It will help boost your creativity and ability to focus, cultivate mindfulness and improve your overall mind/body wellness. Join us for a fun, creative and relaxing day!
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Alicia Mino Gonzalez
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Explore flowers and other natural forms, beginning with line and value drawing and progressing to full-color rendering in watercolor and mixed media.  Topics will include sighting techniques, line quality, tone and value, creation of depth, composition, texture, and basic color. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $15 materials fee for floral subjects, provided.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Linda Gist
Cost: $465
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This six-week on-campus studio-rental program is designed for experienced visual artists who desire constructive feedback on their artwork, as well as the support and interaction of an artistic community. Stimulate your personal artistic growth in your own private PAFA studio through individual weekly critiques from a stellar ensemble of notable artists, including members of PAFA’s acclaimed faculty, as well as discussion, group critiques, and artist studio visits. Tuition covers a personal studio in PAFA's Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, weekly critiques (one-on-one; one group critique), and additional group discussions and outings to museums and commercial galleries (scheduled per students' interests). This is an uninstructed program; as such, prior art-making experience and the ability to work independently are required.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $1,350
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Develop your ability to render the human form through the time-honored combination of anatomical study and life drawing.  Learn the methods and technical skills of traditional figure drawing, such as measuring, capturing gesture, anatomical structuring, and tonal rendering. Through lectures and demonstrations, and work from the life model, learn the structural aspects of the human form: bony landmarks, simplified volumes, and proportional relationships. Progress to the skeletal framework and superficial muscles to identify their surface effects and how they influence mass and movement. Incorporate your knowledge of figure anatomy to capture the fluidity, vitality, and subtleties of the human form while working from the life model in short and extended poses. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: John Horn
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

The portrait can extend beyond the head and shoulders as a depiction of the likeness, mood, or character of the individual subject. Learn to capture the fascinating possibilities of the half-length portrait, examining not only the functional and expressive anatomy of the human head but also the gesture and structure of the torso, arms, and hands. Experiment with creative questions such as handling light and composition. Content includes study from anatomy references, drawing clothed models, and working in a range of media. Instruction will lay the groundwork for creative explorations that lead to professional quality work. Tuition includes a $20 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: RA Friedman
Cost: $315
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

The simple pencil is an economical medium readily accessible to students at all levels, including beginners. It can produce drawings that range from poetic delicacy to energetic and bold expressiveness. Working from still life arrangements, interiors, window views, and other subjects, students will explore a variety of approaches for using pencil to shade and model form convincingly and with beauty. Instruction will review basic drawing principles and observational skills such as evaluating shape, gauging proportions, and employing perspective effects like foreshortening. Previous drawing experience is recommended but not required.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Paint from a life model in a multi-week-pose format to develop and refine your figure painting compositions. Extended poses will allow students to adjust and resolve issues of surface, color, and composition. Instruction will cover a variety of topics including glazing, broken color, surface texture, composition and design, the relationship of the figure to the environment, the creation of atmosphere and color harmony, disrupted realism, and open- versus closed-form painting. All levels welcome. Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students are welcome to draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: David Wilson
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This workshop will introduce students to the fundamental principles of design and composition. Using simple materials and guided exercises, students will learn how to organize visual elements to create clear, engaging images. Concepts covered will include balance, contrast, movement, focal point, and value structure. These ideas will be applied through quick studies and practical examples that can translate across drawing, painting, and printmaking.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Shushana Rucker
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus inspiring mini demos, technique tips, and helpful critiques of your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow. This class is appropriate for beginner painters, intermediate painters and advanced painters of any medium. The main purpose of this course is one-on-one assistance from the instructor with whatever you need help with (fixing, composition, specific subjects, etc.).
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $150
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

If you’ve never drawn before, or your skills are a little rusty, then this class is for you. Learn to draw what you see with confidence. Work from still life arrangements, interior spaces, and the human figure to master the drawing elements: shape, contour line, composition, light and shadow, texture and perspective. Instruction will guide students through sight-drawing and measuring techniques, use of materials, shading methods, and ways of defining form and space. This course is excellent as a foundation for future study, including for painting and other disciplines. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $485
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Students will work on four different studies of fruits using Prism Colored Pencils. Learning by example, the students will complete four drawings by blending colors, shading and following reflection of light patterns. Become a better painter when learning basic shading and blending of colors! Bristol Paper will be provided.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Joan Guerriero
Cost: $36 ($30 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

Think drawing is a "gift" that has to come "naturally"? You might be surprised to learn it's actually a skill like any other—and Chris Dreyer is here to show you how easily it can be learned. Drawing is as much about learning how to see and think about form and space as it is about technique. Through this process, you'll also gain a deeper understanding of your subject. As you progress through the exercises, you'll develop a keener eye for the forms you're observing and become more skillful in representing them. Chris will focus on drawing subjects from the island, helping you connect with your surroundings in a whole new way. This course is for beginner to intermediate level students.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Chris Dreyer
Cost: $100
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Unlock the hidden potential of colored pencils. Colored pencils are so familiar that it's easy to overlook their remarkable possibilities—but artist-grade, colored pencils are capable of creating breathtakingly realistic artwork! Join accomplished guest instructor Lee Copen for this engaging workshop designed for artists of all skill levels. You'll explore essential colored pencil techniques and processes while creating a beautiful, detailed drawing of a bird. Lee will guide you step-by-step, sharing professional methods for layering, blending, and building depth and dimension in your work. Bring your colored pencils and a willingness to explore this versatile medium in a whole new way! All levels of students are welcome; however, some drawing and painting knowledge and experience is important.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Lee Copen
Cost: $180
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738